Stampede is Over Time to Blog

So the craziness of the Stampede is over for another year. All the lights on the rides have been turned off. The cowboy hats and boots put away for another year. And the mini donuts and beer are turning into a memory.

So what does this all mean for the average joe working day to day in this city of Stampede sin?

Well it's time to wrap up any business. Which means dealing with what happened at Ranchman's that night with that certain Stampede fling. Or not. Figuring out how to detox your body to adjust back into the work schedule of daily life. Trying to deal with the fact that debauchery and beer is done for yet another year.

Let's talk about the Stampede fling for a moment. Divorce lawyers love the Stampede. It has a huge impact on their business level within a month of Stampede finishing. Either because he/she has been caught in some incriminating photo that can't be explained. Or a text is found that seems very inappropriate. Or the fling turns out to be more and continues on to become a serious affair. Ultimately it ends the same way and off to the lawyers you go. On to the next oil bunny who wants to land a man that can take care of her.

If the Stampede can create so much sin why aren't the churches protesting it like PETA or Humane society does? Are they a part of the secret society of the Stampede and get more followers after the park has closed? Flooding their pews to be absolved of the sin that they had brought upon themselves? In hopes that if they make peace with it that it never happened? Or is there a bigger plot there?

Let's look at that for a moment. Gambling is a sin according to the local bishop here and he has been very vocal about the fact that a school can't even have a Bingo to raise money for their school. Yet when this yearly event comes along he doesn't say anything. Does he go on vacation and in his mind it's outta sight and outta mind so it really didn't happen? Or is he a part of a bigger plot against his own flock? Maybe a local large donation by an unknown donor that makes it's way into the churches coffers? The bishop knows there are a few things that happen during Stampede. Drinking,adultery,gambling,and coveting thy neighbors wife. Like how I pulled that one out of my hat? So that means looking at the ladies in a lewd and sexual mindset. So why hasn't he said anything against all the sin?

Am I against the Stampede? No. If people could enjoy the events that surround the biggest outdoor show on earth and not succumb to their desires and fall into the drunken, horny, people ogling idiots, we could have an event that makes everyone proud to be a part of. But it usually turns into the den of sin we all know and love to be a part of because it brings so many crazy stories. And yes there will be stories. Human nature can't help itself and the need to share with the co workers what they had seen at the company party takes over and for weeks the rumors fly around about the people who had messed around that night or the person who got so drunk they couldn't stand and eventually puked on their bosses shoes.

Don't get me wrong I enjoy the Stampede events and think it can be a great time for a single man/woman or family that is looking for some fun in the city. Great pancake breakfasts and music that everyone can enjoy. Stampede rides and rodeo events that test the metal of cowboys/cowgirls. All great fun.

So in closing I guess what I am saying is if we take the time to think before we act then the sins of the Stampede won't happen. We take the time to think that I really shouldn't drink another beer. I shouldn't try and dance with that person looking at me. Or I shouldn't put my tongue down this persons throat because we just met and I have a significant other. The gambling I can understand. Sorry Bishop Henry tough sell there to a non catholic. But the mind get s fuzzy as time goes by through the year. And as the next years Stampede gets closer the thoughts of what could happen at the next ten days of debauchery start to dance in their head like it's Christmas in July. And the cycle repeats itself. Because after all were human and temptation is hard to turn down when you have ten Bud in your gut and she has been eying your big buckle all night. Just like in the "Lion King", it's the circle of life.

Ciao for now

Dating

Ok so I have been trying dating for a while now and have tried different avenues to go about it. There is dating from your pool of friends.(Not a good idea). Dating from Plenty of Fish or any other dating web site. Or there is always the blind date.

Blind dates. Aren't they fun. It all starts off with someone saying to you "Hey your single right? (THANKS FOR REMINDING ME!)I have the perfect person for you. Wanna meet HIM\HER?" Then if your respect them or their judgement you eventually say yes. Then there is the self questioning that goes along with it. "Is she pretty?" " What if he's an ass?" " Where is the nearest exit by the washroom?". All the things that make us what we are as humans. You know, Crazy. Well at least crazy to our ex's.

Second line of dating which I don't think is a smart way to date is amongst the people you know. UNLESS you know that person has been into you for a while and you know you can make it work or at least if it doesn't still be friends. Otherwise you have messed up a business relationship or friendship. Or even friend of a friendship. Anyway you slice it, if you try this route your taking a big risk at messing something up and maybe your social life for a while.

On the other hand it is a safer way to date because most often you already know the person. Either know them a little or a lot. My recommendation here is to take it slow and don't jump right into bed the first night or even the fifth night. Enjoy each others company and see how much of the relationship is based on sexual urges and how much is on actually wanting to spend time with that person. If it's the first urge then i say "get out now". Don't go to far and mess things up so you will always feel awkward around that person when they are around.

Third option is the web dating. Yes this can be a good way to meet people. But like a Walmart, you have to sort through the bad stuff to see the one or two gems awaiting you there. Yes go on and see what's outside you group of friends or acquaintances. This gets you out there and people can meet you for tea or coffee, or even go out for a lunch date or drinks. Everything is totally up to you and how fast you wanna take it.

Me I have tried all three. Yup I did. Everyone knows it is hard out there. And everyone has their own expectations of what they expect from a date. I find it hard to know what to do that is proper now a days. Do I pay for everything like a gentleman? Go split the bill because you want them to know you respect their individuality? Go straight for the dinner or just drinks the first time? It's a myriad of possibilities. And you don't want to ask too many questions so not to freak the other person out.

What do you think? I am like you and trying to just get by and preying I am not going to make a fool out of myself in this dating world. Step by step this process may get easier.

Well that's my ramblings for tonight. I am exhausted writing this so it probably makes less sense than usual.

Ciao for now

When Is Enough Just Enough

OK this is a tough story to tell but I will try and do it justice.

Today I was doing the follow up story about an elderly couple who had gone missing last Thursday after a 91st birthday party. So a full week has gone by and nobody had heard from them or knew where they were. The police were searching all over the place and with their helicopter and everything.

Then early at 7am ish we got a report that the couples car was found and so was some unidentified bodies a few kilometers away. Remember the cops have to inform the next of kin before they identify the bodies to the press.

Off we go. In the truck and driving forty kilometers west of Water Valley.. While were getting close to the destination the road turns into a gravel road about four lanes in some places and well maintained for a gravel road. We then came to an immediate stop where the turn off to the site where the car was located. The road we were on went well into the west. Then we turned down the side strip of a road. It was as wide as the truck and in very rough shape and huge puddles and a sheer drop off on the drivers side when going into the bush. The police said the car went seven kilometers into this mess. In spots the truck I was driving only went ten kms because of the ruts and puddles. They were driving an older sedan which would have been terrible bumpy.

In my mind I can't see the reasoning behind ever taking a car this route unless there was a specific reason to do so. It was a one way ticket.

They found the bodies three kms from the vehicle. This makes it all very confusing to some why they would drive that route. But brings into question of what if?

What if they just went for their final drive together into the deep heart of the woods to finish off their lives together. Let me make this clear right now that the examination to this date of writing has not been released yet to the media and from here on out is just speculation.

So my theory is that they had the party. (they didn't clean up anything from the party)And when everyone left they got into their car and just drove as far out into the woods as they could. They spent the night sitting and talking in the car until the gas ran out. And then they took some medication and walked away from the car. And eventually they both dropped. (They were found thirty meters away from each other). This may have been planned for them to be eventually be dragged off by an animal and never seen again by their families. Which may be because they didn't want to live in pain and they didn't want to be a burdon to their families.

I know it's too early to speculate but that is my theory.

So is it right to give those the choice to take their own lives if their suffering greatly outweighs the alternative?

Tough discussion.

That's it for me
Ciao for now

This is Bad Luck

So now were all caught up from last year to present. Everyone I know had a terrible year last year and it didn't even have anything to do with the economy. More personal reasons. Ok I guess some people had financial troubles.
It all happened one night. LoL. Great start for a story eh? But in this case it did.
I was invited to a pool party at the house of the clairvoyant teacher I have been taking classes from. And most of her students were in attendance. I have been sorta interested in a woman that has been in the same class. So of course being at a party with alcohol and a pool that is kept at a beautiful ninety eight degrees....... well you fill in the blanks. No? Ok I'll do it for you.
I am a friendly guy and an ok conversationalist. But when alcohol is involved I am more animated and like to talk and have more confidence. What a suprise. Booze equals confidence.
So KJ (the host of the party) saw me glance at this woman and instantly said " Your single and so is she. You should get to know her".
"Danger Will Robinson, danger". That's a movie reference from "Lost in Space" for those who thought I have just lost it.
Danger indeed. I am there. She is there. And I am still vulnerable. And yes I am a little scared. Come forth Crown Royal and give me the courage to entice yon damsel.
So two drinks in I start to strike up the conversation. And to my suprise she actually had some interest in what I am saying. Yes me. It was hard to believe myself. Not that I have low self esteem but. Well.
Lets back it up a bit and describe her I guess. She is about average height with very pretty eyes and hair. A smile that makes you feel good looking at it. Oh yeah did I mention she was interested in what I had to say and had a heartbeat. No really she is very pretty and I thought out of my league.
So were back to talking and drinking. She is talking to me and were having a pretty good time. And then to a suprise to me she suggested to get into our bathing suits and get in the pool. Well you don't have to ask me twice. Off with the day clothes and into a swim suit as fast as I could. And I was not disappointed when I came out of the bathroom to see her. Yes I was taken aback a bit at the sight of her. This was the second bit of good luck. So off to the pool with the drinks. And to be funny here for a second. Things went swimmingly.
You know how I said that I may jump around with the stories? That's because I have no idea how to write and I am doing this all from just hitting the keys in an order that makes sense to me. So maybe I should apologize to those literary guru's that can write circles around me. But here comes the rest of the story.
I have to back it up once again and give the one little detail that I found out the next day. Another guy who attends the class arrived and yes he is attractive. SUPRISE. They dated.
No at this point I am clueless to this fact and we are having a good time in the pool talking and I have been listening intently. Yes I was. Don't judge me. And even made her drinks.We were getting to know each other and while in the water she was sitting on my knee with my arm around her. Sounds good? Just wait here it comes.
Tall and handsome bad boy type she was seeing ,decided he was also going into the pool too. Can you see where this is going? No? Ok I will fill in the final chapter of this saga.
I recall that I was getting a refill for us both and went into the house. And while making drinks it seems that she and he decided to get talking. And by the time I got back to the pool she and he were close talking. You know that type of close talking that sends the direct signal that I was intruding. So at that time I decided to drop off her drink and make up an excuse that I had to talk to KJ our teacher for a minute. Hoping that the conversation they were having was about closure and they needed their space for five minutes.
So I went inside to give them some space and work it out. Now when I said "IT" I didn't mean "IT". As in his penis. Yup I said PENIS. PENIS,PENIS,PENIS. What a silly sounding word.
So it seems like I was inside for a full two minute when I glanced out the window to see...........yup you guessed it. They were kissing. Kissing and grinding in the pool.
At this point it had just become very apparent to me that this situation has become very uncomfortable.
To put it simply I changed and said my thank you's and left the party with just a little bit of a complex. Bring on the therapy.
So what do you think? Yup. Same as I thought. WTF?
Ok that's the story for today. Come back and try to read the next story without wanting to smash your computer for sheer hatred of what I have done to the english language.